Gulf Construction Online - New exhibition to power Mideast’s solar initiative

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New exhibition to power Mideast’s solar initiative

01 July 2012

THE Middle East’s efforts to develop its solar power industry are expected to receive a major impetus at an event to debut in Dubai, UAE, early next year.

The Solar Middle East exhibition to be launched in February (17 to 19) 2013 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, aims to create major opportunities for manufacturers and suppliers worldwide to capitalise on heavy investment by regional governments.

The event is expected to reflect a strong regional focus on the development of solar power facilities, with at least 10 major projects worth a combined $6.8 billion under way in the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Egypt, Jordan and Morocco.

The three-day event, co-located with Middle East Electricity exhibition, is expected to attract more than 150 suppliers of solar products from around the world who are looking to tap into the lucrative Middle East and North Africa (Mena) market.

The UAE continues to lead the way as part of the strategy to reduce its reliance on fossil fuelled power generation, spearheaded by the $600-million Shams One in Abu Dhabi, the world’s largest concentrated solar power plant which is expected to be completed next month (August).

In Dubai, the $3.2-billion Al Maktoum Solar Park is slated to begin construction in 2014 and will reach a peak of 1,000 MW production capacity upon its scheduled completion in 2030. Other solar power projects in the region include the $150-million solar enhanced oil recovery (EOR) project in Oman, which will begin construction next year, and the $525-million 100 MW solar power plant in Kom Ombo, Egypt, also set to begin construction in 2013.

Saudi Arabia is looking to attract $109 billion in investments to create a solar industry generating a third of the nation’s electricity – the equivalent of 41 GW – by 2032.

Anita Mathews, exhibition director of Solar Middle East said: “The Mena region is perfectly poised to take advantage of solar technology, with a staggering 630,000 terawatt hours of solar energy falling on the region every year. As such, governments are investing heavily in the application of solar technology.”

“We decided to introduce Solar Middle East as a dedicated event in response to an increased interest in the solar segment at Middle East Electricity,” she added.

Solar Middle East is officially supported by the Saudi Arabia Solar Industries Association (Sasia), and the Emirates Solar Industry Association (Esia).